A RIOTOUS CROWD.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7930, 2 January 1906, Page 5

A RIOTOUS CROWD.

SATURDAY NIGHT AT AUCKLAND. By Telegraph—Press Association. AUCKLAND, December 31, A rather serious riot took place in Queen Street on Saturday night, resulting in the arrest of six young, men on various charges of wilful damage to property, assaulting the police, and inciting assault. The trouble aroee concerning payment lor a meal at the Zealandia Diuing Rooms. A young man on coming out, was asked to pay, but said be had paid down below. The waiter denied this, whereuDon he was struck in the face. He struck back, and soon a crowd Assembled outside and the windows of the dining-rooms were smashed with stones. By this tiire an excited crowd of about 2000 people had assembled, but the rowdyism was confined to a number of young fellows between about 18 and 25 years of age. The police did good work in quelling the disturbance by getting in among the crowd. None of the police were injured, but a bottle thrown from the crowd cracked one of the flue shop windows of Smith and Caughey, drapers. The crowd followed the constables to the station, jand again commenced throwing stones, one window being broken, but tne police were "equal to the ooccasion. A water-hose had previousily been got ready, and was suddenly turned upon the excited throng. The cold water worked wonders. It injured no one, but it was very effectual in dispersing the assembly, and gradually t;he city quietened dovvn without further damage being done. Apart from this dißt-irbance, Saturday night passed off peaceably, notwithstanding the great crowd which had gathered in the city. AUCKLAND, January 1. Five young men were brought before the Poliue Court this morning, charged with offences connected with the disturbances on Saturday night. Several of theui had black eyes. The cases were remanded till next Monday. Bail was allowed in each case.